6 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2 DOI: 10.2478/ctg-2014-0001

Maryna Adamska1 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower ¹Department of Geomorphology, Institute of – an important conservation practice and Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław, Uniwersytecki sq. 1, 50-137 Wrocław. the management strategy in urban planning E-mail: [email protected]

Key words: Abstract riparian buffer zones, buffer strips, Buffer zones are narrow strips of land lying structure. This will be used to develop clear rivers, vegetation cover, agricultural along the surface water, covered with appro- criteria for the selection of the width of these priately selected vegetation. They separate zones based on land use land management. It aquatic ecosystems from the direct impact of can be used in the implementation of execu- agricultural land and reduce the movement tive acts at different levels of space manage- of nutrients in the environment. In 2008 the ment. Field research consisted of inventory European Commission established require- the extent of riparian buffer strips on select- ments for the implementation of buffer strips ed water courses and photographic documen- along water courses. committed to tation. Species composition of the vegetation the enforcement of these requirements un- forming a buffer zone was identified by us- til 1 January 2012. This was one of the rea- ing Braun-Blanquet method. There was lack sons of this study. The subject of the anal- of continuity of the riparian buffer zones on ysis included the following rivers in Lower investigated rivers. Buffer zones should have Silesia: Smortawa, Krynka, Czarna Woda carefully formulated definition and width be- and the selected transects of Ślęza and Nysa cause they are element of the significant eco- Łużycka. Detailed studies were designed logical value, they perform important envi- to estimate the buffer zones occurring on ronmental protective functions and they are these watercourses and assess these zones’ also the subject of Community law.

Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 7

Introduction Water is a limited resource, so water qual- Main criteria to identify appropriate buffer ity is recently one of the major issues of an width include: resource functional value, in- international concern. (Fielding et al. 2005). tensity of adjacent land use, buffer character- Intensive agriculture and urban development istics and specific buffer functions required. can have a negative impact on stream ecosys- Many agencies rely primarily on a mixture tems. Riparian buffer zones are highly rec- of political acceptability and resource func- ommended to reduce the impact of urbaniza- tional value to determine buffer standards tion and farming on the aquatic ecosystems (Castelle et al. 1994). The most of the buffer and improve the water quality (Agouridis & design studies is concerning on the required Wighman 2010). Riparian buffer zones are width, but the vegetation assemblage, layout, ecological boundaries or ecotones separat- slope of adjacent lands, and length are also ing terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They key design parameters. Major buffer strip are important elements, that control sedi- width recommendations for improving or ment and nutrients movement through the protecting water quality tend to be between catchment system. Because of their ecolog- 10 and 30 m (Fischer et al. 2000). ical significance they has become a tool in Vegetation used for buffer designs should proper land use management practices (Burt constitute a mix of trees, shrubs, and her- et al. 2002). These areas between land and a baceous plants that are native to the region surface water body consists of specific type and well-adapted to the climactic, soil, and of vegetation. They act as a barriers and play hydrologic conditions of the site (Fischer & role in many biological, chemical and physical Fischenisch 2000) processes. Riparian buffers protect the water There are few possibilities in designing ripar- from land use practices (Blackwell et al. 1999). ian buffer system. One recommended con- cept consists of 3 zones. The first zone is -un Riparian areas perform multiple ecological managed forest of fast- and slow-growing functions. They regulate sediment removal, water-tolerant trees along the stream bank, control erosion, moderate the shade and wa- the second zone consists of the shrubs and ter temperature, maintain the habitat struc- is located next to the trees. The third zone tural diversity and improve the landscape is occupied by grasses. The perfect solution quality (Broadmeadow & Nisbet 2004). They is when zones are left undisturbed; howev- have been also admitted to be landscape com- er Zone 3 can be mowed or grazed once ful- ponents that promote faunal movement and ly established (Agouridis & Wightman 2010). enhance gene flow (Fisher et al. 2000). The Within each of these plant communities, a influence of the riparian buffer depends on wide variety of species and zone widths can its width, structure, plants composition and be used depending on design requirements the management of this area (Broadmeadow (Schultz et al. 2004). This kind of riparian & Nisbet 2004). buffer system is shown on the figure 1.

Fig 1. Riparian buffer system with three zones (based on Schultz et al. 2005, modified). 8 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2

Another design model includes 2 zones - buffers. Poland should have included it by the first zone is unmanaged forest adjacent the 1.01.2012. There should have been made to water (left unmanaged to provide shad- changes in Polish law and land use manage- ing and large woody debris to the stream). ment documents. In 19.01.2009 in the reg- The second zone consists of managed forest ulation: Rozporządzenie Rady (we) nr with systematic harvests to remove trees. 73/2009 requirement concerning on imple- The third zone consists of a herbaceous fil- mentation riparian buffers was established. In ter strip that intercepts and slows the usu- Environmental Management Scheme based ally concentrated surface runoff from adja- on Rozporządzenie Rady (we) nr 1257/1999 cent fields and spreads it over a wider front (about support for rural development) and to move more slowly through the riparian rozporządzenie komisji europejskiej buffer (Schultz et al. 2004). 445/2002 9 packets were designed. Packet Sometimes landowners refuse having zone nr 9 is about creating riparian buffer zones. with unmanaged forests because of the trees Although in Polish law there have been some falling into streams and slowing water. As minor changes, they can only be named ‘men- the result the other design project has been tions’. No strict definition of riparian buffer developed - two-zone multi-species ripari- zones have been reported. There are no con- an buffer consisting primarily of a woody ditions referring to an extent, width and com- zone and a grass or grass-forb filter zone. The position of riparian buffer zones. However whole woody zone is managed but may be landowners can receive money support rang- planted to combinations of trees and shrubs ing from 40 zł/100 linear meter. to 110 zł/100 (Schultz et al. 2004). Buffers can also con- linear meter. This amount depends on the sist entirely of grass (grass filter strips), but width of this zone that farmer would consti- fewer benefits are provided by that approach. tute and the class of the soil. Of course there (Agouridis & Wightman 2010). is no authority which could carefully checked In many countries, after recognizing the if there are no frauds in implementing buffer importance of riparian buffers riparian res- zones. Another matter that is worth mention toration and preservation programs have is the fact, that landowner can choose only been established. Poland, as a member of the one from nine packets and still obtain a fi- European Union, committed to the adoption nancial compensation (even if according to of Community law. In European law there the law buffer strips are obligatory). is a requirement to implement the riparian

Study area All rivers selected for further analysis are lo- (mezoregion - Hills) cated within territory of . The (Kondracki 2002). Ślęza is a left-hand trib- investigation was carried out on five rivers: utary of Odra river. It has length of 78,6 km Krynka, Czarna Woda, Smortawa and select- and the catchment area is 971,7 km2. It has ed transects of Ślęza and Nysa Łużycka. The two maximums of discharge in March and location of the investigated rivers is shown April (Staśko 2005). This is typical for low- on the figure 2. lands rivers. The source of the river is situ- According to regionalization by Kondracki ated in the Niemcza-Strzelin Hills in the vi- (2002) the discussed rivers flows in the terri- cinity of the Bobolice at an altitude of 340 tory of Lower Silesia, the area located within m above sea level. The mouth of the river is two provinces: North European Plain and below the disctrict of Kozanów in Wrocław Bohemian Massif. city in 261,6 km of the Odra river. The investigated transect of Ślęza river (from Czarna Woda flows in area of the makrore- km 14+700 to km 39+300) is situated with- gion (mezoregion Ślęża in makroregion (mezore- Massif) and makroregion Silesian Lowlands gion Wrocławska Plain and Wrocławska (mezoregion Wrocławska Plain) (Kondracki Proglacial Valley) and Sudeten Foreland 2002). It is the right-hand tributary of Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 Maryna Adamska 9 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower Silesia – an important conservation practice and the management strategy in urban planning

Bystrzyca river. The source of Czarna Woda river valley is flat-floored and gets wider with is located in the slopes of the Radunia moun- the water course reaching a maximum of 1,5 tain at an altitude of 325 m above sea lev- km width. Maximum water flow is in spring el. The mouth of the river is nearby the area and summer. Average annual discharge is 0.5 of Kąty Wrocławskie. This river is the main m3/s (Parzóch & Solarska 2008). The catch- watercourse in Ślęża Landscape Park. It has ment has agricultural character. Because of maximum flow occurring in spring and sum- the possibility of flood in 2006 the reservoir in mer. Because in many places river flows with- Przeworno was built (Malczewska et al. 2011). in village area and there is no riparian vege- Smortawa is located within makroregion tion there, when the rainfall increases, the Silesian Lowlands (mezoregion Wrocławska water level rises and, as the result, the vil- Proglacial Valley and Olesnicka Plain). lage can be flooded. In 2009 multiday rain- Smortawa is typical lowland river with two fall caused the rising of the water in maximum water flow in spring and sum- and also the water of Czarna Woda has ris- mer. It is the right-hand tributary of Odra en up. 130 houses in communes Marcinowice and it has a length of 39 km. The source of and Sobótka were flooded. The biggest dam- the river is located at altitude of 175 m above ages were recorded in the village Strzelce sea level in south-east from Namysłów in Świdnickie (Kasprzak 2010). Province and the mouth of the river is Krynka belongs to the area of the mak- in Lower Silesia above Wrocław near Jelcz at roregions Sudeten Foreland (mezore- 124 m above sea level. The average size of an- gion Niemcza-Strzelin Hills) and Silesian nual rainfall in the catchment is 577 mm. The Lowlands (mezoregion Wrocławska Plain) river flows mainly among forests and mead- (Kondracki 2002). Krynka is third-order ows. There are many nature reserves nearby stream, the right-hand tributary of Oława. (Adynkiewicz-Piragas et al. 2006). The source of this small (about 36km) river The studied transect of Nysa Łużycka (km is located at altitude of 310 m above sea lev- 154+600 to km 82+400) is located within 3 el in Goworowice village in Opole Province makroregions: Foothills Zachodniosudeckie and the mouth of the river is in Lower Silesia (mezoregion Żytawsko-Zgorzeleckie below Strzelin at 185 m above sea level. The Lowering), Silesian-Lusatian Lowlands

Fig 2. Location of the studied area. 10 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2

(mezoregion Lower Silesian Wilderness) the Izerskie Mountains at an altitude of 780 and the end of the transect is located in m above the sea level. The mouth of the riv- makroregion Upper Lusatia (mezoregion er is in 524+400km of Odra river at an alti- Muskau Arch). The end of studied section is tude of 32 m above the sea level (Adynkiewicz in Łęknica and belongs to another voivode- & Lejcuś 2010). It is a typical mountain riv- ship – Lubusz Province. er with changeable discharges with maxi- Nysa Lużycka is a river located on the Polish- mum in winter and spring months. Minimum German border. It is a left-hand tributary of flow is reported to be in June (Staśko 2005). the Odra river. The total length of the river is Nowadays the land use of the catchment is a 246.09 km (of which 196.5 km constitute the mixture of natural areas, agricultural land, Polish-German border and more than half of forests and areas of human activity - ur- it is on the area of Lower Silesia) The catch- ban and rural building development, com- ment area occupy the territory of A = 4395 munication and energy infrastructure and km2 and 58% of it is in Poland. The sources coal outcrops. The river is always monitored of the river are in the south-western slopes of (Adynkiewicz & Lejcuś 2010).

Material and methods Preparations for field research included liter- were conducted in 2012. After map analysis, ature review concerning on studied problem. rivers to the further studies have been chosen. There were also studies of the Polish Law in The field research included botanical analysis, a search of riparian buffers definitions and photografical documentation and phytosoci- guidelines for placing and designing them. ological classification of the vegetation by the After the verification of the law regulations, Braun-Blanquet method according to floris- the urban plans were viewed. Local spatial tic composition. During investigations, the developments plans according to the study inventory of the rivers and assessment of the area were analyzed to see if there are any im- buffers zones were made. To find out which plications relative to the riparian buffer zones. management strategy is approved by owners There were also carried out the map analysis. of the land adjacent to streams there will be 1 : 25 000 map sheets was purchased from the taken surveys and interviews. Wrocław Marshal Office. The sites studies

Results Czarna Woda The section of the Czarna Woda river covered river passes rural area the riparian vegeta- with woody vegetation (mixed forests) con- tion is highly limited to the strips of meadows. sists the species like: Fagus sylvatica, Picea The transect to km 20+600 is strictly reduced abies, Larix decidua, Betula pendula, Acer in floral species. From km 19+600 riparian pseudoplatanus. The mixed forests belong vegetation is fair – reduced to small strips of to the Ślęża Landscape Park. Near sources meadows. There are species like Phleum pre- of the river commonly can be found species tense, Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia absinthi- like Padus avium (shrubs), Vicia cracca and um. Anemone ranunculoide, Tanacetum vul- an archaeophyte Cichorium intybus (flow- gare, Euphrasia rostkoviana, Helictotrichon ers). Impatiens parviflora and Urtica diocica pubescens, Poa pratensis, Achillea millefolium, are the most frequent species within whole Potentilla erecta. The situation changes near river banks. There are also populations of Sobótka region. After passing Żerzuszyce be- Angelica archangelica, Artemisia vulgaris and sides meadows, riparian vegetation starts to Artemisia absinthium. Riparian vegetation include also woody species (Quercus robur, on this transect can be assessed as good/op- Quercus petraea, Carpinus betulus and Tilia timum. Unfortunately when river flows with- cordata). From km 10+700 to mouth of river Fig 3. Limited riparian vegetation – in urban area there is no riparian vegetation the vegetation is good. Czarna Woda (km 35+800). (eg. near Zebrzydów, km 35+800) and when Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 Maryna Adamska 11 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower Silesia – an important conservation practice and the management strategy in urban planning

Fig 4. Czarna Woda within the town area Fig 5. Czarna Woda (km 19+600) riparian Fig 6. Good riparian vegetation – Czarna (km 26+850). Riparian vegetation limited. vegetation forming Grass filter strip. Woda (km 10+700).

Smortawa

The large area of the territory within sylvestris and Larix decidua, frequently ap- Smortawa flows is covered by forests. There pears Quercus robur and Quercus petraea, have been created nature reserves like Leśna in lower elevation Carpinus betulus can be Woda Reserve. It has been created to protect found. In many places there are also popu- the natural mixed forest of old trees, with a lations of Tilia cordata and Alnus glutino- large proportion of European larch. Those sa. In some places Pinus strobus occurs. In transects of the river that draining agricul- the undergrowth populations of Hedera he- tural lands were restrained to the few me- lix massively appear and plant from genus Fig 7. Bad riparian vegetation on the ters wide strips of grasses. The sources of the Rubus and species like Humulus lupulus and edge river/cropland -Smortawa river near Świerczów crosses the cropland. Frangula alnus. We can also see a fern species (Km 38 +000). Riparian vegetation in this place is very poor. like Polypodium vulgare. This woody transect There are single species of Padus avium, pop- lasts until km 21+890 near Borucice where ulations of Artemisia vulgaris, Phleum pre- one bank of the river is limited by the crop- tense, Arctium lappa, Hypericum perfora- land. From km 21+890 to km 14+700 forests tum, Tanacetum vulgare, Senecio jacobaea. vegetation continue and in km 13+300 ap- From km 28+100 the vegetation is more pears Leśna Woda. This section is also opti- dense. The woody area starts with species mal for riparian vegetation. Although near forming mixed forests. The upper elevation Janików vegetation is again highly reduced. level is represented by Fagus sylvatica, Pinus

Fig 8. Good riparian vegetation - Smorta- wa (km 26+950).

Fig 10. Riparian vegetation forming strips - Fig 9. Optimum riparian vegetation - Smor- Smortawa (km 6+900). tawa (km 13+300). 12 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2

Krynka

The source of river is in agricultural area. The vegetation of riverbanks is limited there to patches and strips of grasses and wildflow- ers like Campanula trachelium, Campanula rotundifolia, Convolvulus arvensis, Potentilla erecta, Myosotis arvensi. There are also plants like Trifolium pretense, Taraxacum officina- le, Vicia cracca, Senecio jacobae, Tanacetum vulgare. Herbaceous strips are formed with Fig 12. Riparian vegetation different types plants like Poa pratensis, Artemisia vulgaris. on different banks– Krynka (km 6+400). Agropyron repens, Urtica dioica .This kind of strips lasts almost the whole part of the riv- er that is located in Opole Province. In lower Silesia in km 18+850 individual and groups of trees appear. In 2006 there was made a doc- umentation to create The Ecological Park of Krynka Valley from km 16+300 to the mouth of the river in Krzepice. The most precious in this area are riparian forests and broad- leaved forests that constitute the Natura 2000 and can be included to optimum ri- Fig 11. Riparian vegetation forming strips – Fig 13. Riparian forests– Krynka (km 4+250). parian zones. They are consisted of Quercus Krynka (km 30+850). robur and Quercus petraea, Ulmus minor and Fraxinus excelsior. The forest management was not intensive in this area so the old trees are preserved in good shape.

Ślęża The section of this river that flows from vegetation changes into strips consisted of Wroclaw city to Ślęza village (km 14+700 to meadows. The floral species include most- km 17+500) is bereft of the woody vegeta- ly different types of grasses Helictotrichon( tion. The vegetation is bad- only patches of pubescens, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca prat- single species and small grassy strips. There ensis), weeds and sometimes flowers like are only single species of trees in patches but Anemone ranunculoide, Centaurea cyanus, mostly riparian zone is constituted of grasses Potentilla erecta, an archaeophyte Papaver and sometimes shrubs. The situation chang- rhoeas, Matricaria chamomilla. There are Fig. 14. Riparian vegetation forming buff- es near Ślęza village where riparian forests commonly found species like Taraxacum of- er strip. Single individuals of woody species. occurs. This is typical mixed forest with rep- ficinale, Trifolium arvense, Lathyrus tuberos- Ślęza river (Km 29+300). resentative species like Quercus robur and us. Weeds are represented by Calamagrostis Quercus petraea. In the undergrowth there epigeios, Elymus repens, Artemisia campre- are populations of dragged Impatiens parv- stris. The other common plant frequently en- iflora and commonly occurrs Urtica dioc- countered is Achillea millefolium. Until the ica. After Żórawina (km 24+ 250) woody end of transect (km 39+300) river flows in ag- ricultural area so vegetation closest to the riv- er include macrophytes like Phragmites aus- tralis, Schoenoplectus lacustris and grass filter Fig 15. The example of edge cropland/ri- strips consists of meadows. parian forest. Ślęża river (Ślęża village – km 19+300). Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 Maryna Adamska 13 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower Silesia – an important conservation practice and the management strategy in urban planning

Nysa Łużycka Except urban area of Zgorzelec and adjacent pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Alnus glutinosa and villages (km 154+ 600 to km 138+600), the big Populus tremul. The lower level is occupied part of studied transect is located within area by Juniperus communis, Euonymus europaeus of Lower Silesian Wilderness where typical and Sorbus aucuparia. In undergrowth we habitat is fresh coniferous forest with char- can see Osmunda regalis and Vaccinium myr- acteristic species – the most frequently ap- tillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Deschampsia peared Pinus sylvestris but the contribution of flexuosa (bunchgrass), Calamagrostis arun- Picea Abies is steadily growing. In many plac- dinacea (grass). Invasive species are repre- es occurs reintroducted Abies alba. Deciduous sented by Prunus serotina. This kind of veg- Fig 16. Limited vegetation near urban area – species are represented generally by Quercus etation can be included to optimum ones. Nysa Łużycka (km 149+300). robur and Quercus petraea but also, Betula

Trees Shrubs Grasses Wildflowers

Quercus robur Padus avium Festuca ovina Vicia cracca Quercus petraea Frangula alnus Festuca rubra Campanula trachelium Salix alba Rubus parviflorus Festuca pratensis Campanula patula Alnus glutinosa Salix caprea Poa pratensis Campanula rotundifolia Populus alba Crataegus laevigata Poa trivialis Convolvulus arvensis Populus nigra Sambucus nigra Anthoxanthum odoratum Cerastium holosteoides Sorbus aucuparia Viburnum opulus Arrhenatherum elatius Myosotis scorpioides Fagus sylvatica Juniperus communis Dactylis glomerata Gladiolus imbricatus Fig 17. Good riparian vegetatikon – Larix decidua Euonymus europaeus Helictotrichon pubescens Galium odoratum Nysa łużycka (km 138+600). Pinus sylvestris Holcus lanatus Anemone ranunculoides Carpinus betulus Agrostis capillaris Anemone nemorosa Tilia cordata Agrostis gigantea Taraxacum officinale Fraxinus excelsior Phleum pratense Polygala vulgaris

Table 1. Commonly used native species in Lower Silesia

In addition, in every studied riparian veg- where vegetation cover includes only patches etation there are also many antropofits for of meadows. Invasive species are represented example : trees like Quercus rubra, Aesculus by Solidago gigantean, Solidago Canadensis, hippocastanum (trees,) Reynoutria japonica Helianthus tuberosus, Heracleum sosnowskyi (shrubs), Rubus (shrubs), Cornus alba – do- and Bidens frondosa. In every riverside there mesticated antropomorphit. Dragged spe- were many populations of Urtica diocica Fig 18. Variety of river edges in rural areas. cies like Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia which indicates Nitrogen in soils. From left handcorner: 1) Czarna Woda (Km vulgaris are quite popular on riparian areas 35+900), Krynka (Km 18+850) , Ślęza (Km 25+750), Smortawa ( Km 6 +960). MACROPHYTES POLISH NAME RIVER

Glyceria maxima Manna mielec Czarna Woda, Ślęza Elodea canadensis Moczarka kanadyjska Czarna Woda Sagittaria sagittifolia Strzałka wodna Czarna Woda, Smortawa Phalaris arundinacea Mozga trzcinowata Czarna Woda, Smortawa Schoenoplectus lacustris Oczeret jeziorny Slęza, Czarna Woda Lemna minor Rzęsa drobna Czarna Woda, Ślęza, Nysa Łużycka Callitriche verna Rzęśl wiosenna Czarna Woda Stuckenia filiformis Rdestnica nitkowata Czarna Woda Nuphar lutea Grążel żółty Ślęza, Smortawa Typha angustifolia Pałka wąskolistna Smortawa Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Żabiściek pływający Smortawa Sparganium emersum Jeżogłówka pojedyncza Smortawa Phragmites australis Trzcina pospolita Ślęza, Czarna Woda, Nysa Łużycka, Krynka Schoenoplectus lacustris Oczeret Jeziorny Ślęza, Nysa Łużycka Fig 19. Schoenoplectus lacustris at the side Utricularia vulgaris Pływacz Zwyczajny Nysa Łużycka of Ślęza river (Km 36+600). Table 2. Macrophytes species recognized at investigated riversides. 14 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2

Discussion The importance of the riparian vegetation >100m) are required to assure values related is well known. The sustainability of farm- to wildlife habitat and use as migration corri- ing systems and use of the best management dors. If there is only a possibility of a narrow practices in agriculture should be major goal buffer strip, it should at least be wide enough to achieve in environment management and to sustain a forest or shrub community, that urban planning (Basset-Mens et al. 2006). will properly stabilize the streambank from Riparian buffer strips in good condition are erosion (Fisher et al. 2000). widely noted because they are able to per- Site specific conditions should be taken into form a variety of functions. that is the rea- consideration because they can indicate larger son why they should be maintain with special or somewhat smaller buffer widths (Castelle care. The rise of the vegetation at the river et al. 1994). banks has the potential to improve whole Too narrow buffers provide inadequate pro- ecosystem health (Kenwick et al. 2009). tection, too wide – will reduce the area of pro- The ability of a riparian zone to provide a ductive crop (Broadmeadow & Nisbet 2004). range of multiple environmental functions Unfortunately, it is impossible to estimate de- depends on the following factors: width, finitive buffer width that will protect water length, degree of fragmentation, and type, resources from every existing threat (Fisher density, and structure of vegetation present. et al. 2000). The spatial placement of buff- Objectives that also play role include land er strips within a catchment results in many ownership, existing or potential riparian positive effects on water quality. Although vegetation, soils, slope, or past land-uses buffer strips are important along all rivers both within the riparian zone and in uplands and streams , those in headwater streams of- throughout the watershed (Fisher et al. 2000). ten have much greater influences on overall It would be useful to implement a general water quality within a watershed than those guidelines for buffer sizes. Buffer size re- buffers occurring in downstream reaches quirements may belong to one of 2 categories: (Fisher et al. 2000). fixed-width and variable-width. Buffer less In the United States a large amount of state than 5-10 m provide only little protection of and national mitigation programs have been aquatic environment under most conditions. established to support practices leading to Based on literature, minimum width of the water quality improvement (Lee et al. 2004). buffers that is necessary to protect wetlands The model of riparian buffer zone was shown and streams should be 15-30 m (Castelle et al. in Chesapeake Bay Riparian Handbook 1994). Although, much greater widths (i.e., (1997). Authors distinguished different type

Optimum Good Fair Bad > 75 % of Riparian Riparian veg- Riparian vegeta- stream vegetation etation is tion is absent or length has appears in reduced, very scarce, woody patches, forming small represented by riparian covering 50- patches cov- isolated vegetation, 75 % of ering 25-50 or small groups forming a the stream % of stream (1-3 continuous length, or length individuals) of and dense covers >75 % trees or vegetated forming shrubs, cover- corridor an open, low ing less density than 25 % of vegetated stream corridor length

Table 3. Continuity of riparian vegeta- tion (woody species) (González del Tánago 2006). Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 Maryna Adamska 15 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower Silesia – an important conservation practice and the management strategy in urban planning

of riparian vegetation according to the kind to the model zones from United States we of landscape. As the example, there were can see that the first difference is there is no Streamside Management Zones in forested maintaining on polish riparian vegetation. landscapes (a zones where timber manage- Sometimes landowners even expand their ment Practices are modified), Agricultural crop fields to the river banks. Streams with- Riparian Forest Buffers in agricultural land- in urban areas are often bereft of the floral scapes (area of trees and other vegetation sep- species. Healthy riparian vegetation can be arating cropland or pasture from a stream) provided even in urban area and this is a goal and Suburban Riparian Forest Buffer (cor- that we try to achieve. ridors of forest bordered by parks, ballfields, Environmental planners should realize the roadways, lawns, and residential/commer- importance of maintaining existing or new- cial structures) and Urban Riparian Forest ly constructed riparian buffers when land Buffer (corridors or strips of forest, which is developed for urban purpose The design are protected, managed, and/or enhanced and placement of strips are important in the for aesthetic, habitat, recreational, climatic, planning of riparian buffer zones, since they or water quality benefits within a highly im- can have a large influence on the control ef- pervious setting). That many types of ripari- ficiency of water quality and water quantity an vegetation was recognized only in United The factors that influence the performance States, but guidelines created in Australia and of riparian buffer strips include width, slope, New Zealand are also specific and depends soil properties, vegetation and flow rate, etc. on many important objectives as a slope and Riparian buffer strips have been an important land use type. The minimum buffer width is conservation practices for watershed manage- 10 m the maximum more than 100 m (eve- ment for a long time. The planning of ripari- ry state has own jurisdiction, so the recom- an buffer strips should consider many aspects mendations vary). In European Union there rather than only the control effectiveness of are no general guidelines of implementing runoff and pollutant loadings (Chang et al. riparian areas, but the law enforce to con- 2010). Only good management of the uplands struct and maintain these zones and in some and healthy riparian zones will completely countries like Germany or Estonia, the min- protect the quality and functioning of the re- imum buffer widths were established. If we ceiving waters (Correl 2005). compare the zones on rivers in Lower Silesia

Conclusions Unfortunately, many of riparian buffers There are only mentions in regulations con- zones in Lower Silesia are limited and can- cerning on financial support for landowners not function properly. Some transects of se- that will allocate part of their land for ripar- lected rivers that are located within rural ian zones. But there are no directions how area and drainaging agriculture lands can they can design and create such a zone. The suffer because of the livestock grazing and extent and width of riparian buffers haven’t crop production. The sections in the vicin- been defined. Because these vegetation zones ity of the cities may be exposed to the an- play many important ecological roles, in eve- thropopressure. Only sections within places ry place adjacent to a water course, where it included conservation practices like Natura is possible, we need to endeavor to main- 2000 could be assessed as a optimal and good tain and improve existing riparian buffers. zones. Other parts have insufficient vegeta- In places where riparian vegetation is limit- tion and could be specified as a fair. In some ed, there should be create plantings made of places (eg. Zebrzydów, Szczepanów – river native species especially from grasses. Even Czarna Woda) there were no riparian zones small grass filter strip is better than no bar- and the floral species were represented only rier that protects river from agriculture con- by small groups of individuals. In Polish law taminants. If we start to use best management there is no clear definition of riparian buffer practice we could save our water resources zone, which is unacceptable, because we de- more effectively. clared to accept the law from European Union. 16 Contemporary Trends in Geoscience vol . 2

References Adynkiewicz-Piragas, M., Krzemińska, A., Resources Management 24, 2339–2352 Tarnowski, K., Wróblewski, T. (2006) Correll, D.L. (2005) Principles of planning and Charakterystyka i zróżnicowanie para- establishment of buffer zones, Ecological metrów hydromorfologicznych w rzece Engineering 24, 433–439 nizinnej na przykładzie Smortawy, Fielding, K.S., Terry, D.J., Masser, B.M., Infrastruktura i ekologia terenów wiejs- Bordia, P., Hogg, M.A. (2005) Explaining kich 4,3,17–24 landholders’ decisions about riparian Adynkiewicz-Piragas, M., Lejcuś, I., (2010) zone management: The role of behaviour- Propozycja wykorzystania oceny hydro- al, normative, and control beliefs, Journal morfologicznej w badaniach krajobrazow- of Environmental Management, 77, 12–21 ych regionu pogranicza Nysy Łużyckiej, Fischer, R.A., Fischenich, J.C. [online]. (2000) Problemy Ekologii Krajobrazu, XXVI, Design recommendations for riparian cor- 145-160 ridors and vegetated buffer strips, EMRRP Agouridis, C.T., Wightman, S.J., Barton, C.D., Technical Notes Collection (ERDC TN- Gumbert, A.A. [online].(2010) Planting a EMRRP-SR-24), U.S. Army Engineer Riparian Buffer, Cooperative Extension Research and Development Center, Service, University of Kentucky College Vicksburg, MS, www.wes.army.mil/el/emrrp of Agriculture, Lexington, KY, 40546 Fischer, R.A., Martin, C.O., Fischenich, J.C. Available on the Internet: http://www. (2000) Improving riparian buffer strips and ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id185/id185.pdf corridors for water quality and wildlife, Basset-Mens, C., Anibar, L., Durand, P., van In: International Conference on Riparian der Werf H.M.G. (2006) Spatialised fate Ecology and Management in Multi-land factors for nitrate in catchments: Modelling Use Watersheds, American Water Resources approach and implication for LCA re- Association, August 2000, 1-7 sults, Science of the Total Environment González del Tánago, M., García de Jalón, 367, 367–382 D., Lara F., Garilleti, R. (2006) Índice RQI Blackwell, M.S.A., Hogan, D.V., Maltby, E. para la valoración de las riberas fluviales en (1999) The use of Conventionally and al- el contexto de la Directiva Marco del Agua. ternatively located buffer zones for the re- Ingeniería Civil, 143: 97-108 moval of nitrate from diffuse agricultur- Kasprzak, M, (2010) Wezbrania i powodzie al run-off, Water Science and Technology na rzekach Dolnego Śląska, In: Wyjątkowe 39,12,157-164 zdarzenia przyrodnicze na Dolnym Śląsku Broadmeadow, S., Nisbet, T.R., (2004) The ef- i ich skutki, P. Migoń (eds), Rozprawy fects of riparian forest management on the Naukowe Instytutu Geografii i Rozwoju freshwater environment: a literature review Regionalnego 14, Wrocław (In Polish) of best management practice, Hydrology Kenwick, R.A, Shammin, Md.R., Sullivan, and Earth System Sciences, 8, 3, 286-305 W.C. 2009 Preferences for riparian buffers, Burt, T.P., Pinay, G., Matheson, F.E., Landscape and Urban Planning, 91, 88–96 Haycock, N.E., Butturini, A., Clement, Kondracki, J. (2002) Geografia regionalna J.C., Danielescu, S., Dowrick, D.J., Hefting, Polski, Polskie Wydawnictwo Naukowe, M.M., Hillbricht-Ilkowska, A., Maitre, V. Warszawa (In Polish) (2002) Water table fluctuations in the ri- Lee P., Smyth C., Boutin S. 2004. Quantitative parian zone: comparative results from review of riparian buffer width guidelines a pan-European experiment, Journal of from Canada and the United States. Journal Hydrology, 265, 129–148 of Environmental Management 70,165–180 Castelle, A.J., Johnson, A.W., Connolly, Malczewska, B., Gromada, O., Jawecki, B. C. (1994) Wetland and stream buffer (2011) Gospodarka zasobami wodnymi size requirements - a review, Journal of na przykładzie gminy i powiatu Strzelin, Environmental Quality, 23, 878-892 Infrastruktura i ekologia terenów wiejs- Chang, C.-L., Hsu, T.-H., Wang, Y.-J., kich 7, 133–143 Lin, J.-Y., Yu S. L. (2010) Planning for Palone R.S., Todd A.H. (eds) (1997). Implementation of Riparian Buffers in Chesapeake Bay riparian Handbook: a guide the Feitsui Reservoir Watershed, Water for Establishing and Maintaining Riparian Contemporary trends in Geoscience vol . 2 Maryna Adamska 17 Riparian buffer zones on selected rivers in Lower Silesia – an important conservation practice and the management strategy in urban planning

Forest Buffers. USDA Forest Service NA- określone systemy wsparcia dla rolników, TP-02-97, Radnor, PA. zmieniające rozporządzenia (WE) nr Parzóch, K., Solarska, A. (2008) 1290/2005, (WE) nr 247/2006, (WE) nr Antropogeniczna przebudowa den dolin- 378/2007 oraz uchylające rozporządzenie nych Przedgórza Sudeckiego na przykładzie (WE) nr 1782/2003 Oławy i Krynki, Landform Analysis, 9, Rozporządzenie Komisji Europejskiej 314–318 445/2002 z dnia 26 lutego 2002 r. Rozporządzenie Rady (We) Nr 1257/1999 ustanawiające szczegółowe zasady sto- z dnia 17 maja 1999 r. w sprawie wsparcia sowania rozporządzenia Rady (WE) nr rozwoju obszarów wiejskich ze środków 1257/1999 w sprawie wsparcia rozwoju ob- Europejskiego Funduszu Orientacji i szarów wiejskich ze środków Europejskiego Gwarancji Rolnej (Efogr) oraz zmieniające Funduszu Orientacji i Gwarancji Rolnej i uchylające niektóre rozporządzenia (Efogr) Rozporządzenie Rady (We) Nr 73/2009 Schultz, R.C., Isenhart, T.M., Simpkins, W.W., z dnia 19 stycznia 2009 r. ustanawiające Colletti, J.P. (2004) Riparian forest buffers wspólne zasady dla systemów wsparcia in agroecosystems – lessons learned from bezpośredniego dla rolników w ramach the Bear Creek Watershed, central Iowa, wspólnej polityki rolnej i ustanawiające usa, Agroforestry Systems 61,35–50